CruisinKJ

Anyone on current sailing returning 12/15? Everything seem back to normal?

The Haven with their 2 bedroom offerings is an attractive option for families looking to cruise. I think it’s unrealistic to expect no children will be in the haven or to restrict children access to the pool. I can also certainly understand how unruly children can affect other passengers experience. In those situations, the parents need to monitor and better control their unruly children. Every passenger deserves to enjoy their vacation they paid for. 

On 1/15/2018 at 9:10 PM, caligirl1960 said:

 

We're using Payless Airport Shuttle and they provide car seats. You just have to request the car seat when you make your reservation.

On 1/15/2018 at 9:21 PM, banditoo said:

Thanks Caligirl. We actually did contact Payless so have a quote from them too including car seat and boosters. Best quote so far. Uber would be cheaper but no car seats or boosters provided so we would have to pack our own which would be inconvenient on the ship (the youngest one still has to be in full car seat so those portable booster suggestions wouldn't work for her).

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but thinking about using Payless Airport Shuttle. Can you comment on your experiences with them if you used them for your transportation? Thanks

Thanks for the replies and suggestions!

Thanks for the all the replies. It is a domestic flight. Based on my experience, I would 100x rather fly through SNA than LAX.  

Generally speaking for walk offs, what time do they usually start letting passengers off? I know its variable and depends on the ship clearing customs/port authorities, but just trying to time things out. Thanks again for all the replies. 

Please delete. Double post in error

Booked for a cruise on the Joy in December. Trying to figure our flights. Would an 1130am flight leaving out of John Wayne airport (SNA) be unrealistic? The itinerary says the ship is due to arrive at port at 7am and disembarkation usually starts 2 hours after. Seems a little too close for comfort. Based on your experiences, what's the earliest you can get off the ship? Thanks for any input. 

Anyone have any recommendations on a shuttle service that provides car seats in the Los Angeles area? We will need transportation to San Pedro port. Will be traveling with 2 children who still require safety seats. Anyone have any experience with a company they would recommend? Thanks!

If you stay on 17 near the Haven Bar, do you hear lots of noise or is it pretty quite?

How far in advance from the sailing does NCL start offering cruisers the option to place bids? How far out from the sailing date are the bids usually accepted? Thanks for any input!

I did a price adjustment a week ago as the prices fell quite a bit. This is also through the same big box warehouse retailer OP mentioned. I got the same photo package as well.

Agreed, the expiring deal countdown made me book earlier than I would as I typically like to do extensive research. I'm >120 days out and noticed the category I booked is about $400 cheaper. Can I call my TA and rebook at the reduced rate since I'm so far out?

Sorry to hijack the thread, but if you're greater than 120 days out and notice a price drop, can you request a price adjustment? Booked through a big national warehouse travel agent. Thanks

We cruised in an Owners Suite (Sky Class) on Oasis in March of this year. Have been on 3 RCL cruises in total, with the most recent one being a suite. I didn't feel coastal kitchen or the lounge was overcrowded. I may be wrong, but I thought they separated the lounges now, so Pinnacles and Diamonds don't share the same lounge as Suite, but again I can be totally mistaken. Service was top notch. Concierge was very accommodating. I particularly liked the luggage valet, where they would transport your luggage to the airport for you on disembarkation. Not sure if this is something NCL offers.

I have my first NCL cruise booked on the Joy in December in an H4. I wish I had more to offer you in terms of a comparison, but haven't been able to experience the Haven yet. Price wise, I thought the H4 was a bargain at approximately 8500 for 4 ppl, but the RCI Owners Suite was 12000 for 4. In fairness, we sailed on RCI around spring break and are not booked into an as busy time on the NCL Joy. The H4 over Christmas and New Years priced at 20,000 and 22,000, respectively. 

First time cruising with the an unlimited drink package perk. Are there any bars/restaurants where the package is not honored? Just want to know ahead of time before I order tons of drinks and get stuck with a bill. Thanks!

1 hour ago, jmh3791 said:

 

Make sure you make reservations for the specialty dining rooms early or you will be relegated to the 10pm slots.  

Even if you're staying in Haven as the OP is? If you get on the ship and ask the concierge to make reservations, will they typically accommodate the times you request? How early out can you book reservations for dinner at specialty restaurants?

5 minutes ago, FLAHAM said:

Additional tip to the bartender is optional and completely at your discretion.  Some feel it incentivizes better service. 

Thanks! Another question...what if I want to order a beverage that costs more than $15? How is that handled? Will I be charged the balance over $15 + 20% gratuity?

If I have this perk and get a beer at the bar, am I expected to tip the bar tender additional or is it supposed to be included in that $20/day? 

Thanks for the replies. Very helpful!

Looking at booking an H4 (2 bedroom family villa) on the Norwegian Joy. I noticed that the description for this room lists the balcony size as 43-127 sq ft. Any idea how to find out which specific rooms have the larger balcony? Also with the larger balcony, I'm assuming the actual stateroom itself is smaller? If so, for rooms with larger balconies, what area is smaller inside? Thanks for any info!

2 hours ago, Skipper305 said:

No problem. It’s definitely annoying that the edit function disappears. 

We recently sailed the Joy In the Haven and loved it.

1 hour ago, TPgal said:

1. You can edit your post to say "national warehouse based travel agent" - which you should do, so that the mods don't delete your post
2. I've booked via this NWBTA, and noted that their online offering stops at "suite" and even then the only room types they offer is the mini-suite, which isn't a suite at all.   So, you call.     They have all room types available, and usually there is a NW cash card that comes to you in the mail once the cruise is completed. The % of the rebate is dependent on room category - an inside gets a smaller card, and a true suite/haven much more.
3. The only "downside" IMO is that the NWBTA doesn't participate or enable the bidding for upgrades game.  But, if you're booking into the room category you want that's a non-issue.

 

Good luck!

Thank you for your help!

18 minutes ago, Skipper305 said:

Mentioning a travel agency is against the posting rules. 

I was unaware. Thank you for letting me know. Trying to figure out how to edit my post now!

Looking to book a cruise on the Joy in December. First time cruising through NCL, but the time and itinerary fit my schedule best so I though I'd give them a try. We typically cruise RCCL.  I usually use Costco to book my cruises as I typically get a decent amount back through a costco cash card. I'm looking primarily at Haven Suites at this time. 

When I browse the Costco Travel website, I notice there is no availability for many Haven suites such as H4 or H6, but these are readily available direct through NCL with many different rooms to chose from. Is there a reason for the limited availability through costco travel? Will these category rooms open up later? Thanks for any input!

Sorry to hijack the thread...but what about a Remy or Palo dinner? Are men's jackets required for both? Thanks!

Sorry to bring back an older thread, but have a question about the Oceaneer Club on the Fantasy. My wife any I will be cruising with our 3 year old son on the Fantasy early June. We definitely plan on utilizing the Oceaneer Club to be able to have some alone time together. I'm worried we will be traveling at a busy time with lots of children/families on board. Does the Oceaneer Club ever get so full/at capacity that they turn children away? Will it ever get so full that the staff to children ratio is unacceptable? I'm also concerned about my son's age. Seeing that he is at the youngest spectrum of ages, I'm worried about bullying or rough play by other children. Are the staff pretty good at regulating and preventing this? Thanks for any input.